EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Third Regular Session )

SENATE *21 SEP 22 P2 37

2414

Introduced by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLE MODERNIZATION
PROGRAM (PUVMP) AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In June 19, 2017, the government launched the Public Utility Vehicle
Modernization Program (PUVMP), its biggest non-infrastructure program ied by the
Department of Transportation (DOTr). The program intends to provide our riding public
and other stakeholders safe, convenient, reliable, and environment-friendly public
transport system. To implement this, the DOTr directed all individual franchise holders
to consolidate themselves into a cooperative or corporation as the only two (2) legal
entities recognized under DO 2017-011 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and
Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance, which
lays down the rules and procedures on the issuance of franchises for public transport
routes and services to effectively implement the PUVMP.

The program's objective is to modernize the traditional Public Utility Jeepneys

(PUJs) and other modes of public land transportation vehicies that have already exceeded
their useful existence on the road into more comfortable, convenient and modern public
utility transport service vehicles. Along this side, the whole public transportation system
shouid be equipped with Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), non-cash
transactions, GPS, CCTVs, monitors and other advanced technology infrastructure that
will ensure the program's reliability and dependability;

To date, only a small fraction of individual franchise holders has undergone

consolidation and modernized their vehicles to comply with government's directives.
Institutionalizing the PUVMP will ensure the Program's continuity and assure our
transportation cooperative sector and other stakeholders in the public transportation
system funds to address the problems being encountered by affected stakeholders in
modernizing our transport system.

In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

IGUEL F. ZUBIRI
 EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )

SENATE '21 SEP 22 P2 37

Introduced by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLE MODERNIZATION
PROGRAM (PUVMP) AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

1 SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Utility Vehicle
2 Modernization Program (PUVMP) Act of 2021."

3 SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 promote the viability and growth of the transportation cooperative sector as the primary
5 provider and source of safe, efficient, and environment-friendly land and sea transport
6 service in the transport of passengers and goods geared towards structural economic
7 growth and development of the country.

8 R.A. 9520, otherwise known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 affirms
9 that the government and all its branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities and agencies
10 shall ensure the provision of technical guidance, financial assistance and other services
11 to enable cooperatives to develop into viable and responsive economic enterprises and
12 thereby bring about a strong cooperative movement that is free from any conditions that
13 might infringe upon the autonomy or organizational integrity of cooperatives.

14 Towards this end, the State shall recognize the transportation cooperative system
15 as a tool towards the integration of land and sea public transport system, not only as a
16 means to effect economy and efficiency in the movement of goods and passengers, but
17 also as a measure to ameliorate the social and economic conditions of public
18 transportation workers and their families through various strategies that wili ensure
19 sustainable employment opportunities.
 1 SEC. 3. The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). - The
2 PUVMP is hereby established and institutionalized with the DOTr as the lead agency. As
3 principal source of funding an amount of Five Billion (Php5/000,000,000.00) is hereby
4 allocated for this purpose to be sourced from any available unutilized funds of the
5 government.

6 SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOTr shall promulgate

7 the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations for the effective and efficient
8 implementation of this Act.

9 SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
10 publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.